Since there are some provincial differences in the overall `process', specifically regarding eligibility for health care, driver licence, etc., I thought it might be helpful to have a thread for those of us in BC that have applied Inland, to discuss those issues (and more) here.
1. BC MSP (health insurance)-
A spouse or a child of an eligible B.C. resident may also be deemed a resident provided that an application for permanent residence status has been accepted for processing by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), and the application remains active. For more information, see: http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/msp/infoben/pdf/covering-a-spouse-or-child-who-is-an-applicant-for-permanent-resident-status-in-canada.pdf
Some people have been refused, due to the person(s) at BC MSP not fully understanding this `exception' to their standard eligibility requirements. Several members here have been successful, albeit after a bit of a battle over this part of their own language- "provided that an application for permanent residence status has been accepted for processing by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), and the application remains active".
This is the date that is shown in eCas that CIC has ACCEPTED (not started processing) your application.
If you need the coverage, and have AOR...don't be afraid to empower yourself and keep trying!!
2. ICBC (BC Driver Licence)-
Unless you have a student, work, visitor, OR temporary-resident permit. etc., you cannot get a BC licence. They require 2 pieces of ID (primary and secondary) and the primary must be something that has been issued in Canada (more less). For those that have gone from visitor status (for those from via exempt countries that just leave and re-enter to reset the 6 month clock), to PR applicant, you probably don't have any such document...but...if you receive the aforementioned BC MSP card, you can get a temporary licence (valid for 2 months, renewable, without a photo) that will at least let you drive legally while you await your PR approval. Once you have your OWP (if you applied), you can then get a regular licence.
This also applies to anyone that thinks that they can simply exchange their US (or other countries that are listed for the exchange program) licence...you can't, until you have a primary form of ID.
3. Landing interview (Vancouver)-
Well...it looks like the wait for an appointment in the Vancouver office can be several (like 5-6) months, so bottle the excitement when you get DM...because you'll need to `sip on it' to maintain the euphoria until you get your COPR.
So, that's about all I have to share, but please jump in and share your thoughts/ experiences!
1. BC MSP (health insurance)-
A spouse or a child of an eligible B.C. resident may also be deemed a resident provided that an application for permanent residence status has been accepted for processing by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), and the application remains active. For more information, see: http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/msp/infoben/pdf/covering-a-spouse-or-child-who-is-an-applicant-for-permanent-resident-status-in-canada.pdf
Some people have been refused, due to the person(s) at BC MSP not fully understanding this `exception' to their standard eligibility requirements. Several members here have been successful, albeit after a bit of a battle over this part of their own language- "provided that an application for permanent residence status has been accepted for processing by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), and the application remains active".
This is the date that is shown in eCas that CIC has ACCEPTED (not started processing) your application.
If you need the coverage, and have AOR...don't be afraid to empower yourself and keep trying!!
2. ICBC (BC Driver Licence)-
Unless you have a student, work, visitor, OR temporary-resident permit. etc., you cannot get a BC licence. They require 2 pieces of ID (primary and secondary) and the primary must be something that has been issued in Canada (more less). For those that have gone from visitor status (for those from via exempt countries that just leave and re-enter to reset the 6 month clock), to PR applicant, you probably don't have any such document...but...if you receive the aforementioned BC MSP card, you can get a temporary licence (valid for 2 months, renewable, without a photo) that will at least let you drive legally while you await your PR approval. Once you have your OWP (if you applied), you can then get a regular licence.
This also applies to anyone that thinks that they can simply exchange their US (or other countries that are listed for the exchange program) licence...you can't, until you have a primary form of ID.
3. Landing interview (Vancouver)-
Well...it looks like the wait for an appointment in the Vancouver office can be several (like 5-6) months, so bottle the excitement when you get DM...because you'll need to `sip on it' to maintain the euphoria until you get your COPR.
So, that's about all I have to share, but please jump in and share your thoughts/ experiences!
